Chris "Beanie" Wells did some work on the side yesterday, but some of his teammates said he did
not practice as fifth-ranked Ohio State began preparations for Saturday's showdown with No. 1
Southern California in the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

Wells missed the game against Ohio University on Saturday because of a right foot injury
suffered the previous week, and it was obvious from a report on yesterday's practice that he has
not been cleared to return.

Quarterback Todd Boeckman said Wells was outside with the team but spent the session on the
sideline.

"I don't know if he was running, jogging -- I have no idea if he was walking, riding a
(stationary) bike," Boeckman said. "I really can't give you any details on what he was doing."

Receiver Brian Robiskie said there is no question that Wells, coming off a 1,609-yard season and
considered a Heisman Trophy contender, wants to play against USC.

"If he gets the OK and they tell him that he is ready to go, there is no doubt in my mind he is
going to play," Robiskie said. "But a lot of it is (waiting to see) what they're going to say."

As for the team, it is trying to bounce back from the ego bruise that came with eking out a
26-14 win over heavy underdog Ohio. Boeckman said the Buckeyes, who dropped two spots in both major
polls, have the right frame of mind.

"After we got that (Ohio game) film off, it was all about USC and we were all fired up,"
Boeckman said. "This is one of the biggest games we'll be a part of. We have been looking forward
to this game for quite some time now. I think we're going to be ready to go."